AN:: CAN WE TALK PLEASE.

Okay, there's nothing serious, I just wanted to get your attention because those of you who comment give me so much momentum. I love you and you are appreciated and cherished.

Also, I'm afraid this chapter is going to be a little bit of a filler-chapter (still with content, it'll just be a bit more choppy), as I'm just trying to push about six months into it, letting them get to know each other and building bonds as humans do.

Please keep all of the opinions and ideas and wants and curiosities coming in the comments. I love to hear what you guys are thinking. A lot of the time it gives me ideas too, related or not it's amazing. I hope you all are enjoying reading as much as I am writing, because it keeps getting more and more enjoyable working up to the moments I have waiting ahead that are so sSCRUMPTIOUS AND CUTE WITH THE ADORABLENESS AND WHATNOT. Believe it or not there is going to be fluff. So much fluff. And then more angst and fluff and angst. Because I'm fucking insane, if ya'll haven't noticed yet.

Another huge shout out to Sammichbatch who is amazing and I love. Thank you for giving me some of your time and helping me. You make me smile with my heeaaaarrrrttt... (DING. Babes in Arms.)

Anyway. Reviews make me smile. You are loved.


-Can I borrow Henry while youre at work while he's still suspended?-

Regina pushed her glasses into her hair and smiled down at the screen.

-Sure. May I ask where you'll be taking him?-

-Put him to work, helping me pack some things over to the new place. Maybe we can stop by and drop you some lunch?-

She grinned, not remembering the last time that'd happened.

-Of course. We'll be at the office from 9am-

-Sounds good. Thanks for the reference, btw-

-btw?-

-'By The Way'-

-Thank you. It was no trouble, though. I'm sure Ms. Blanchard would have given it to you anyway. Bold to have just given her the asking price.-

-Trust me, it's dirt cheap compared to anything here. I still appreciate it though-

-Then you're welcome. Should I tell him or let him be surprised?-

-man, I think it would be fun to surprise him.-

-Alright. He'll more than likely be asleep when you get here.-

-That's fine. Anyway, thanks again-

-See you bright and early tomorrow, Miss Swan.-

She rolled her eyes at the picture of some overweight man in a suit giving an enthusiastic 'thumbs up."


Emma smiled lightly as Regina opened the door, carrying a sleeping Henry in her arms. Regina tilted her head and gave a sweet smile to the way his head was tucked into Emma's shoulder and how his frame hunched carelessly over hers.

"I'm sorry it's so late."

Regina shook her head. "Not at all. He's usually not asleep for another hour or two anyway."

"Still.." She adjusted him gently coming in the house. "I don't know, I should have checked first."

"Don't worry." The brunette waved any concern away with a smile before shutting the door and holding out her arms.

Emma tried to slide his weight over to the other woman, though it proved a bit more difficult than she thought it would be.

Regina laughed and shook her head, pointing up the stairs instead. "Would you mind?"

"No, it's cool. Just lead the way." And she tried with all her might not to stare at Regina's ass all the way up the stairs, but she still had one of those damn skirts on that hugged everything.

She opened the door and turned the light on, then pulled down the sheets so Emma could set him in bed.

And without prompting they fell in sync, sliding off his shoes and socks, propping him up and taking off his jacket. Regina kissed his forehead and started on his jeans as Emma moved toward the dresser.

"Pj's?"

"Top left." Regina said quietly. "Just bottoms, we can leave him in the t-shirt."

Emma nodded and did as she was instructed, then grinned as she turned around, seeing Henry with his mouth all the way open and snoring softly, looking much more like a little boy than she'd seen him so far. She felt the sigh relieve some subconscious worry more than realizing she'd actually done it.

Regina looked back at her, understanding the wonder in her eyes, and waved her over picking one of Henry's feet up gently so Emma could slide one leg on, then simply assisting as she slid them up the rest of the way.

She pulled the blankets over her son, letting Emma stare at Henry a while longer. However the tears in the blondes eyes as she turned back she was not expecting.

Her elbow brushed against Emma's. "Are you alright?"

She just nodded. "Yeah." Then she shrugged in a way Regina recognized well, seeing so much of her son in it. "I just didn't expect to love him like this. I mean.." She dabbed at her eyes with her sleeve. "It's like I was confused and then I thought he was kinda funny. And now I don't want to stop looking at him."

Regina just smiled and ran a hand over her back, in a rough, soothing sort of motherly way that made Emma grin at her shoes.

"Come on." Regina motioned toward the door, then shut the light off behind them as they left.

"I don't mean to get all weird. It's just kind of overwhelming."

"Stop worrying. I felt the same way when I got him."

"Yeah?"

Regina nodded. "Well.. it was this overwhelming awe I felt looking at him. I couldn't believe he was mine. And then I was scared... second guessing myself. I didn't know if I could do it. And then out of nowhere it didn't matter because he smiled at me, and just melted my heart, and I loved him. So I was going to do whatever it took to be his mommy and give him everything he needed."

She was still wiping at her face as they got to the kitchen. "I still don't think I'm ready to be anyone's mommy. But I.. it keeps getting stronger, this feeling like I don't ever want to let him down. Ya know, like-" She took a breath and brought one of her knees up to her chest so she could rest her chin on it as she slipped onto the stool. "It's like I want to be better for him. And I don't know what that means but I want it."

"I understand the feeling."

Emma smiled over to her. "So I'm not crazy?"

"Oh, I didn't say that."

"Right. That might have been a bit of a jump." She laughed at herself.

Regina got her a glass of water and sat down beside her, nursing her tea she'd made a while ago. "So moving went well?"

"Yeah.." Emma relaxed a bit, settling into her seat. "Henry was a big help, too. Even though he insisted on carrying some of the heavier things by himself..."


Passing weeks led to phone calls every other night, Henry calling when he was ready for bed, and Emma picking him up on Fridays after school so Regina could have another hour or two for paperwork. The accidental habit of meeting at the park for the trade off simply happened, along with having dinner together and putting Henry to bed, and more long conversations about whatever, then planning the weekend out. And Emma wouldn't admit it, but that kitchen table felt more like home than anywhere she'd ever been.

Regina found herself happier as well, seeing her son being the goofy little boy she felt like she'd missed for so long, but also having someone listen to her about something other than her budget meetings or wedding details. It seemed like forever since she'd actually just talked to someone for the sake of company.


"Do you like fish?"

"Like... salmon? I like salmon but I think I like steak better."

"No, like, as a pet."

"Oh, sure."

"Can I get one?"

"What?"

"I want a pet- can I get a fish?"

"Well have to talk to your mom about it first."

Regina smiled over at the both of them babbling and looking at the ceiling like idiots.

Emma looked over at her from the floor where she and Henry were laying, finding shapes in the bumps above them. "What do you think?"

"I think he can have one as long as he is the one who takes care of it. But just one."

Regina didn't open her eyes, letting the little scene play over and over again from her dream. It was the only part she remembered, though the feeling that was attached with the entire dream made her want to stay wrapped in it the whole day through.

Even as she felt the shifting beside her, she kept her eyes closed, willing the joy to stay flooding her senses.

Then an arm wrapped around her middle. Her hand slipped over his on what seemed like instinct, though she couldn't catch a smile just yet.

"Are you awake?" Graham asked quietly.

Regina sighed. "Almost."

He leaned over and kissed her temple, sweeping a bit of hair away, then dipped his head down, his nose drawing a line on her shoulder.

Then the smile found her.

"What's on the agenda for the day?"

She rolled over, letting him hug her with both arms as her head went to his chest. "Emma's coming over around noon and we're taking Henry to the zoo."

"Fun." He nodded and ran his thumb down her spine.

Regina waited for more, but his comment ended there. Her eyes opened as her finger began to trace the smallest series of circles on his bicep. "We talked about maybe going to the lake after if it's nice enough. Have a picnic?"

"Bring extra money just in case. There was supposed to be a chance of rain, right?"

She pulled away just enough to look at his face. And sure enough there was only sleep and a gentle fondness written over his features. She kept searching anyway. "A chance..." She repeated, nodding. "What about you?"

"Just work." She shrugged. "Maybe if I get done in time I could meet you guys?"

She just nodded, as her brows furrowed the smallest bit.

"What?"

She shrugged. "I don't know if you mean it."

"Why would I ju-"

She put her hands on either side of his face and shook his head. "No.. no don't think-" she flinched and let her foot rub his leg under the blankets. "It's just different. You haven't been very discrete about your opinion on Emma being here. I'm just not sure what to think."

His shoulders were still stiff, but his face became a bit less guarded. "It doesn't seem like she's going anywhere. And I know better than to try and change your mind. I just thought I should jump on the band wagon before you left me behind."

"So.. you're being supportive?"

"Of you." He shrugged. "I'll keep my opinions to myself and try to just play along."

It wasn't perfect, but it was better than the constant, passive aggressive eyebrows she got.

His head lifted from the pillow and glanced behind her. "There's still some time before you have to get Henry up."

Regina bit back a smile. "Oh?"

It didn't take much for her to melt into the kisses or shimmy out one of the night gowns she was so fond of. And maybe the kisses weren't as gentle as she would have liked, and it wasn't the romantic love making every woman dreams up in her head. But it wasn't fighting, and it wasn't trying to prove anything to anyone. It was simple, and easy to allow the breathy moans to climb over her lips.

Though she wouldn't ever admit her eyes were shut in concentration instead of pleasure.


Emma just smiled and nodded.

They got what they had every time - hot chocolate for her and decaf mocha sitting on the other side of the table, the crappy diner cup peppered with lipstick marks in varying opacity. Regina always had all of the interesting things to say. Wedding dress ideas up the wall even though she didn't ever have time to go and look at any. Henry's grades, because Emma couldn't talk to him about anything but comic books and all of the random things he learned in school. Most of the time it was about Henry. Stories, and sometimes there would even be pictures Regina dug out of some place she must have adoringly tucked them away.

And at the end Emma would only smile and let Regina put it on her tab, then pay for it anyway after she left. The bell rang cheerfully and Emma swallowed down the nausea of loneliness again.

"How does she get her hair that flawless every day?"

Emma picked up one of her eyebrows.

Ruby giggled and slid into Regina's spot. "Come on. All your girly talks and she doesn't share her beauty secrets with you?"

"Nope." She took another drink and pushed the mug over. "Can I get a refill?"

"As soon as you get some balls."

"Ruby."

"You're in love with her."

"Stop it." It was a lot weaker than she would have barked it a few months ago.

"Emma..." She slid her hand into the blonde's carefully, then squeezed with intent. "You're going to give yourself ulcers thinking about her all the time and not saying anything."

She flicked the younger woman's hand away. "Why would I have to say anything? Seems like you already know everything there is to know."

"I mean, I have a gift."

Emma sighed heavily. "She's with someone, and she's happy... and I'm going to get over it sooner or later. Besides... if it weren't for the kid I would have forgotten about her months ago."

"Well.. I'm here if you ever need to talk to someone."

"Nope."

"Seriously."

Emma looked up expecting to see some kind of humor but frowned at the sincerity on Ruby's features.

There was a small smile and a tilt of the head. "I have tomorrow night off, and lots of good 80's movies."

She smiled and rolled her eyes again. "Fine. But you have to bring chocolate of some sort. I'll get the booze."

"Duh - I know how to throw a girl's night."


Month four and Emma just had to wave to the receptionist and head down the hall to Regina's office, no appointment necessary.

She knocked on the door and waited for the tiny "Come in" on the other side of the door.

"Hey." She peeked her head in with a smile.

Regina grinned back and pushed some papers aside. "Hi there."

"Sorry - I forgot to ask yesterday... and I don't want to ask Henry. But when is his birthday?"

"December 12th."

"Right." She nodded. "I knew it was coming up. I just- you know. I mean I didn't want to think about it for a long time. Trying to forget-"

"It's fine. I understand." Regina shrugged with that care and understanding that made Emma want to hit her and make out with her, depending on her mood.

"Do you guys have any plans? Should I get him a card, or..?"

Regina pulled her glasses off and took a breath. The kind that Emma knew meant she was just repeating something she'd rehearsed because it wasn't her idea. "We talked to Henry about giving him bigger presents on Christmas instead of doing both a birthday party and Christmas... so. I suppose a card. We'll have cake the day of, of course-"

"That kinda sucks though."

She tilted her head and pretended to look at paperwork. "Henry didn't seem to mind."

"Yeah, but if he thinks it's what you want, he'll say whatever to make you happy."

"I know."

Emma sat down and shrugged. "Well, let's just do something fun. Just the three of us?"

Regina stared.

"I'll take you guys to the city.. and we can walk around Time Square and go to one of your guys geeky museums. No big presents or anything but we'll at least do something for him?"

When that smile broke through, Emma fought down the urge to giggle and cower away like a school girl.

"That sounds wonderful."

"Good - take the day off work, and get Henry out of school. I'll plan everything."

"Okay."


They had to chase after him the whole time.

Emma was only ahead of the game until she parked, then her and Regina had to stay on their toes as Henry ran everywhere. Hot chocolate for around the park and pizza for lunch. Regina didn't say so, but she kept mulling it over in her head - Emma wanted to do this for Henry. She wanted to give him a special day. He was more important than convenience to her.

It made her hate herself just a little bit for going along with the idea that it would be easier just to spend more money on the one day... because she'd always made the effort before.

Henry fell asleep on the way back from New York and Regina turned to the blonde just before they entered Maine again.

"Would you like to come over for Christmas? Maybe not the morning, but for dinner... or if you wanted?" She hesitated, gulping down this awful anxiety that grabbed a hold of her throat.

But Emma just nodded in her easy, relaxed way and said she would be over if they wanted her there.

Regina didn't say that she always wanted her there... and refused to admit to herself it wasn't just for Henry.

Instead she went and got Emma a card and a cook book the next day and wrapped them up as soon as she got them home. She even let Henry pick out one of the fancier necklaces for her, despite Graham's grumbles of protest about her not being a part of the family, and they shouldn't treat her like one. He hadn't been too happy about the birthday excursion either.

But when Christmas came she was happy watching Emma and Henry being goofy and opening their gifts together, cherishing her son's wonder as Emma hugged him hard opening her gifts. But when he handed her the little gift bag with the tag in his hand writing she knew Emma had helped him. Graham had given her his gift, this was different. If that didn't tell her, Emma couldn't look at her as she pulled out a silver bracelet with bright red stones in it.

"Did you-"

Emma shook her head. "Henry picked it out on his own."

And somehow a 'thank you' didn't seem to cover it.

The shrug she received along with Henry's bear hug, she knew she didn't have to say anything.


"Hey."

Emma spun around, keys still in hand as the Sheriff came rushing over to her. She folded her arms and gave an awkward nod. "Hey."

"Hi- I just..." Graham looked back at the house over his shoulder. "I wanted to talk to you."

"Okay?" She shrugged.

"So, I was kind of a dick."

The suddenness and the tact with which he said it made Emma's eyes go wide and a shocked smile come up.

"And I just want to apologize. I guess... I mean I didn't like you three going for Henry's birthday or.. a lot of it which is just my opinion, but I still thought we should be on good terms. Looks like you're sticking around so, better we get along, yeah?"

"Yeah..." She nodded. "Probably."

"Good."

The vast weirdness in the air wasn't going anywhere. So Emma leaned against her car and crossed her ankles. "I meant to talk to you soon, anyway."

"What about?"

"Regina told me about you being short on volunteers at the station. And I know about the system - Miranda rights and how to file reports and the whole nine. I could help a couple days a week?"

He nodded slowly. "Yeah, I'll think about it."

"Okay."

"I'll have Regina leave you the application."

She looked at her shoes. "I won't pass the background check. Just- ya know, letting you know."

"Why not?"

"I went to prison when I was a kid. I didn't do my whole sentence.. and I was a minor but it's still on there."

He just looked at her with a weird look.

"I didn't do it. I just... this guy let me get caught with some stuff he stole. And he used my car to get away, so everything pointed to me. And I wasn't smart enough to get a lawyer."

"Oh."

"You don't have to- I could work just so you have more hands to get stuff done."

Graham rubbed his face and nodded again. "But we still have to have your name on file for legal reasons. It's not just a babysitting the house kind of thing."

And Emma immediately knew she would have a lot more questions to answer.

"I have to go, though."

"Right." He stepped back and gave her half a wave.

Emma did the same and unlocked her car. "See ya."


Regina flipped the page in her wedding magazine and leaned her head against Graham's shoulder, glancing at Henry doing homework in the dining room. "What do you think about June?"

Graham closed the manilla folder and looked at her. "June?"

"For the wedding."

"Oh. Uhm... yeah."

"It's a ways away but it'll give us time to plan everything..."

"Right."

"What are you working on?" Her brows furrowed.

He frowned and put it on the end table. "I can't tell you that - It-"

"Conflict of interest. So we can go over it at a meeting, or we can talk about it now. What is it?"

He smiled before handing her the folder. "Did you know Emma was in prison?"

Any playfulness fell from her face. She poured over the paperwork paying no attention to his attempts at explaining what was written there.

Armed robbery.. Possession of stolen property... 'although wittness description does not match the accused, her involvement in the crime is absolute..' three years...

"She only served fourteen months for a three year sentence, though-"

"How did you find this?"

"She applied for a volunteer deputy position."

Regina looked at him. "Here?"

"Yes, Regina... that's why I have her file."

"When?"

He looked at her and frowned. "About a week ago?"

"I'm just surprised, I was clarifying." She looked back down at the file, flipping through and biting her lip.

He got up and went in to the kitchen, coming back with a bowl of cereal and a strange look on his face. "So."

She just looked at him.

"What do you think?"

"About?"

He pointed to the folder like she was stupid.

Her face hardened as she closed it and passed it back to him. "I think she was sixteen and hasn't had any arrests since. I'll approve her application tomorrow morning."

"What?"

She stood up and pulled her hair back in a clip slowly pacing toward the fire place.

"You can't approve it, she has a prior-"

"She was a minor and I can excuse it."

"No you can't, there isn't-"

"I'm approving the application. You can choose to hire her or not."

"Hire? It's a volunteer form."

"I think you should make her deputy."

"Are you insane?"

Henry turned his head, peeking into the other room.

Her eyes went over and saw Henry's face scrunched up in concentration. She sat back down, lowering their volume. "She's laying down roots. It means she wants to stay and I want her to. Put her on the pay roll-"

"I'm not going to hire-"

"I'll hire her."

"You can't be serious."

"I am." Regina kept looking everywhere, like her mind was piecing everything together.

"What?"

She shook her head. "I... have to go." She nodded and went to kiss Henry and rushed to get her coat.

"Where are you going."

"I'll be back soon." She kissed him soundly and stepped out. "Put Henry to bed if I'm not back in half an hour."


Emma woke up with the banging on her door.

It took her a minute to realize she was still in Storybrooke and that the lumpy couch was actually hers.

"Who is it?"

But there was only more banging on the other side.

She peered through the peep hole and opened swung it open quickly. "What's wrong? Is Henry okay? Are you okay?" Emma was outside the door, wide eyes and heart pounding.

Regina just shook her head. "Everything's fine.."

"Are you sure? What's-"

"Were you in prison when you had Henry?"

Emma's face dropped, but she took a deep breath and nodded.

Regina pointed in the apartment and Emma stepped aside, letting her in before closing the door behind them.

The brunette looked around with a strange look on her face, but it changed back to the calm, motherly understanding that seemed to come so naturally to her. She leaned against the beam in the bare room and looked at her. "You want to work here?"

She shrugged.

"You look just like Henry."

Emma smiled at her feet as she sat on the arm of the couch.

She sighed and put her hands back in the pockets of her jacket. "Graham showed me your file... because you filled out the application and it would have had to go through me anyway. Anybody who has access to things in the station..." Regina shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I don't care where you had Henry.. it doesn't matter to me where he came from - it never has. I just saw your file and the dates... And he had to have been born before you were released. But lots of women win their babies back after they serve time."

She just sat there.

So Regina took a few steps forward. "Emma."

"Regina I have a lot of shit in my past that I don't ever want to talk about again-"

"And I don't want to bring it up for the sake of making you remember. You should know better by now, I'm not... I want to tell you it has no validity anymore. I don't care what you did. You don't have anything incriminating on your adult record. And if you want to work here.. you want to be here, I'll approve your application in the morning." She shook her head and smiled softly. "I'll even hire you on. There's money for a deputy on the pay roll."

Emma gulped down the rock in her throat. "Can I start with the volunteer thing? Just to try it out? I mean.. I'll totally think about-"

"Take as much time as you want."

She just kept staring up at Regina, something young and vulnerable in her eyes. "Henry's dad..."

Regina shook her head. "I don't care."

Emma took a moment and then nodded.

There was a long moment, the air shifting around them. Like the only thing left for them to settle was finally on the table.

"I wasn't hiding it.. I just-"

"It's okay." Regina shrugged and went stepped over to the kitchen area. "I wouldn't know how to bring it up either."

"I don't want Henry to know."

"Then he doesn't have to. I mean if he asks, maybe be vague. So you can tell him when he's older and you're not lying to him."

She nodded. "Right."

Regina gestured around her. "I haven't ever actually been in here before."

Emma smiled softly and sighed at the change in subject. "Yeah.. sorry it's not very homey."

"The way Henry talked I swore he moved more up here than the couch and a ping pong table."

"Yeah well.." She pointed upstairs and at the tv. "The bed frame is up there and the entertainment stuff. He helped me get all of it up here in pieces."

"Bed frame."

She scratched her nose. "Haven't gotten around to actually getting a mattress. Because I'm lazy."

Regina pointed to the boxes in the corner. "What about those?"

"Laziness."

She raised her eyebrows.

"Most of the stuff from my apartment in the city."

"Most?"

Emma stood up and crossed her arms. "I don't have a lot. Mostly clothes and art. And I just keep buying clothes instead of washing my old ones..."

Regina grinned. "What kind of art?"

"The kind you buy at garage sales. Don't get too excited. My taste is still off brand at it's fanciest."

She nodded and narrowed her eyes at the other woman.

"What?"

"Nothing." Regina took a long breath and shuffled slowly toward the door, letting the blonde follow her. "I should be getting back... to put Henry to bed. I just-" She glanced toward Emma quickly. "I just panicked and wanted to let you know... that everything was fine. I'm not going to ever hold your past against you. How you are with Henry speaks for itself."

All of her insides vibrated. She didn't want to read into the tilt of Regina's head or the softness in the way she was looking at her, but it was hard not to. If they were in a bar, Emma would be putting all her moves on. But she wasn't just some random woman to kick out in the morning, she made her more nervous than she remembered being since she was in grade school.

"Thank you..." Emma opened the door for the other woman.

"I didn't mean to wake you."

She shrugged.

Regina turned just outside the doorway and shifted on her feet. "Do you.. are we still on for coffee in the morning?"

"Yeah. I mean I was planning on it?"

"Yeah." She rolled her eyes and gave the closest thing to a giggle she'd ever heard from the mayor, and made her throat tighten. "Well... I'll see you there. I mean- we.."

"Goodnight, Regina."

And that giant smile. "Goodnight."

"Drive safe!"

"I will!"

Regina disappeared down the stairs and Emma couldn't stop herself from closing the door and playing everything over in her head. And the smile... she didn't give a fuck about anything other than what she knew, and what she saw with Henry and what she knew to be true.

Emma went over to her phone and dialed quickly.

"Grannie's Inn and Diner- this is Ruby, what can I do ya for?"

"You win. I'm in love. Like stupid, crazy love, and it's been like... God I don't even know how long and it's only getting worse."

The laugh on the other end made her put her head in her hands.

"Ruby, come on."

"Oh Emma... I'll be over in an hour?"

"Bring ice cream."

Ruby gasped dramatically. "No booze?"

"No. Ice cream and The Breakfast Club. Or the Goonies."

"Jesus, you're wrecked."

"Cookie dough ice cream."